Sub-munition unit

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sub-munition unit ( 1 ) having a warhead ( 2 ) that comprises an antenna ( 3 ) on the bow side, as seen in the direction of flight, for target acquisition, and is connected on the aft side to a releasably attached parachute cartridge ( 4 ). In order to protect the antenna ( 3 ) sufficiently against both mechanical loads and aerodynamic stresses using a simple protective device, and without thereby negatively affecting the function of the antenna ( 3 ), an antenna protection cover ( 5 ) is releasably disposed on the warhead in front of the antenna ( 3 ) so as to protect the antenna ( 3 ), and the warhead ( 2 ) comprises an operating mechanism causing the antenna protection cover ( 5 ) to be ejected when the parachute cartridge ( 4 ) is released from the warhead ( 2 ).

This is a National Phase Application in the United States of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2008/005245 filed Jun. 27, 2008, which claims priority on German Patent Application No. DE 10 2007 033 831.9, filed Jul. 18, 2007. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sub-munition unit provided with a warhead that, seen in the direction of flight, comprises an antenna on the bow side for target acquisition, and is connected on the aft side to a releasably attached parachute cartridge. In this context, an antenna is understood thereby to mean a high-frequency antenna as well as an optical sensor for the acquisition of targets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A sub-munition unit of the above-mentioned type is known, for example, from publications DE 39 24 352 C1 and DE 41 24 655 C2. In this known sub-munition unit, which is usually ejected from a carrier projectile over a specified target area, the parachute cartridge containing a rotating parachute is released from the warhead during the descent phase of the sub-munition unit. The rotating parachute connected to the warhead unfolds thereby, and the warhead begins to rotate over the target area during the descent process, so that the antenna arranged on the bow side of the warhead scans the target area. As soon as the target-seeking device connected to the antenna has identified a target, the warhead charge arranged in the warhead (e.g. a charge forming a projectile) is then activated.

Since the antenna arranged in the warhead is a relatively fragile component, it must be protected from mechanical loads that act on the sub-munition unit situated in the carrier projectile, as well as from aerodynamic stresses that act on the warhead after the sub-munition unit has been ejected from the carrier projectile.

The object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a sub-munition unit of the type mentioned above, whose antenna is adequately protected from mechanical loads as well as from aerodynamic stresses by a simple protective device, without the functioning of the antenna being negatively affected as a result of this simple protective device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved, according to the invention, by the features of a first embodiment that pertains to a sub-munition unit provided with a warhead (2) that, seen in the direction of flight, comprises an antenna (3) on the bow side for target acquisition, and is connected on the aft side to a releasably attached parachute cartridge (4), characterized in that in order to protect the antenna (3), an antenna protection cover (5) is releasably disposed on the warhead (2) in front of the antenna, and in that the warhead (2) includes an operating mechanism that causes the antenna protection cover (5) to be ejected when the parachute cartridge (4) is released from the warhead (2). Additional particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are summarized below as follows.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a sub-munition unit according to the first embodiment is modified so that the antenna protection cover (5) is connected releasably to the parachute cartridge (4), or the warhead (2), via at least two pre-tensioned elastic retaining straps (7) arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference of the antenna protection cover (5), in such a way that when the parachute cartridge (4) is released from the warhead (2), the ends (8) of the retaining straps (7) on the parachute cartridge side are freed and the antenna protection cover (5) is ejected through the pre-tensioning of the elastic retaining straps (7). In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the second embodiment is further modified so that the ends (8) of the elastic retaining straps (7) on the parachute cartridge side are embodied as spring straps that engage behind tab-shaped projections (9) embedded in the outer wall of the antenna protection cover (5). In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, the second embodiment or the third embodiment are further modified so that the retaining straps (7) extend along the outside (6) of the warhead (2) between the antenna protection cover (5) and the parachute cartridge (4). In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are further modified so that three retaining straps (7) arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference of the antenna protection cover (5) are provided.

The invention is essentially based on the idea that in order to protect the antenna, an antenna protection cover is releasably disposed on the warhead in front of the antenna, and that the warhead includes an operating mechanism that causes the antenna protection cover to be ejected when the parachute cartridge is released from the warhead.

The antenna protection cover is connected to the parachute cartridge, or the warhead, in a positively engaged manner via at least two, but preferably three, pre-tensioned elastic retaining straps, optionally also straps made of spring steel, arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference of the antenna protection cover, in such a way that when the parachute cartridge is released from the warhead, the ends of the retaining straps on the parachute cartridge side are freed and the antenna protection cover separates in a controlled manner through the axial delay of the parachute (deployment shock) unfolding in parallel time at the aft of the warhead.

Such an arrangement of the antenna protection cover on the warhead has, e.g., the advantage that no additional pyrotechnical energy sources, etc., are required to eject the antenna protection cover, and the operating mechanism is therefore extremely reliable, without affecting peripheral assemblies of the sub-munition unit and superordinate function sequences.

The elastic retaining straps can preferably extend along the outside of the warhead between the antenna protection cover and the parachute cartridge. It has proved to be advantageous, thereby, if the ends of the retaining straps on the parachute cartridge side are embodied as spring straps that engage behind tab-shaped projections arranged in the outer wall of the antenna protection cover (snap mechanism).

Further details and advantages of the invention are revealed by the following exemplary embodiments explained based on the Figures attached herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

They show:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sub-munition unit, according to the invention, with a warhead and an antenna protection cover attached thereto on the front side; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sub-munition unit corresponding to FIG. 1, wherein the antenna protection cover has released.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, 1 designates a sub-munition unit according to the invention and having a carrier projectile (not shown), wherein the sub-munition unit can be taken over a target area. The sub-munition unit 1 comprises a warhead 2, on which on the bow side an antenna 3 (e.g. a millimeter wave antenna), and on the aft side a parachute cartridge 4 (for example for a rotating parachute), are arranged. An electronic target acquisition device connected to the antenna 3 is usually situated in the warhead 2, in addition to the actual warhead charge and an ignition mechanism for activating the warhead charge.

According to the invention it is now provided that, for protection of the antenna 3 from outer influences, an antenna protection cover 5, for example, made of aluminum, is releasably attached in front of it. The antenna protection cover 5 is thereby connected to the parachute cartridge 4 with the aid of three pre-tensioned elastic retaining straps 7 (e.g. made of rubber or/and spring steel), extending along the outside 6 of the warhead 2 and arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the ends of the elastic retaining straps 7 on the parachute cartridge side, which straps are embodied as spring straps 8, are connected by engaging behind tab-shaped projections 9 of recesses 10 embedded in the outer wall of the antenna protection cover 5 so that when the parachute cartridge 4 is released from the warhead 2, the ends 8 of the elastic retaining straps 7 on the parachute cartridge side are freed and the antenna protection cover 5 is ejected by the pre-tension of the elastic retaining straps 7, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above. Thus, for example, the antenna protection cover and the elastic retaining straps can also be made of plastic. Also, the attachment of the ends of the elastic retaining straps on the parachute cartridge side can be connected to the parachute cartridge, or to the warhead, via a different suitable mechanism in such a way that when the parachute cartridge is released from the warhead, the ends on the parachute cartridge side are freed and the antenna protection cover is ejected through the pre-tension of the retaining straps, or separates through the axial delay (e.g., at the release of the parachute cartridge).

REFERENCE LIST

-   1 Sub-munition unit -   2 Warhead -   3 Antenna -   4 Parachute cartridge -   5 Antenna protection cover -   6 Outside -   7 Retaining strap -   8 Spring strap, end -   9 Tab-shaped projection -   10 Recess 

1. Sub-munition unit with a warhead (2) that, seen in the direction of flight, comprises an antenna (3) on the bow side for target acquisition, and is connected on the aft side to a releasably attached parachute cartridge (4), characterized in that in order to protect the antenna (3), an antenna protection cover (5) is releasably disposed on the warhead (2) in front of the antenna, and that the warhead (2) includes an operating mechanism that causes the antenna protection cover (5) to be ejected when the parachute cartridge (4) is released from the warhead (2).
 2. Sub-munition unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna protection cover (5) is connected releasably to the parachute cartridge (4) or the warhead (2) via at least two pre-tensioned elastic retaining straps (7) arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference of the antenna protection cover (5), in such a way that when the parachute cartridge (4) is released from the warhead (2), the ends (8) of the retaining straps (7) on the parachute cartridge side are freed and the antenna protection cover (5) is ejected through the pre-tensioning of the elastic retaining straps (7).
 3. Sub-munition unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the ends (8) of the elastic retaining straps (7) on the parachute cartridge side are embodied as spring straps that engage behind tab-shaped projections (9) embedded in the outer wall of the antenna protection cover (5) [sic].
 4. Sub-munition unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the retaining straps (7) extend along the outside (6) of the warhead (2) between the antenna protection cover (5) and the parachute cartridge (4).
 5. Sub-munition unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that three retaining straps (7) arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference of the antenna protection cover (5) are provided. 